Multiple Chapters on "Ecotourism and Community Development"

Multiple Chapters 11 pages (2949 words) Sources: 14 Style: Harvard

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Eco-Tourism and Community Development

Ecotourism

The International Tourism Society (2010) defines this as responsible travel to natural areas for the purpose of conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the community in the region at the same time. It blends conservation of the environment, the community, and sustainable travel. It is premised on clear principles. These are to minimize impact; build environment and cultural awareness and respect; provide positive experiences for tourists and hosts, financial benefits for conservation as well as empowerment for the local community; and to increase sensitivity to the host country's political, environmental and social climate (TIES).

Nature Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Responsible Tourism

Nature-based tourism is simple travel to natural place (TIES 2010). Ecotourism is nature-based tourism with the additional objective of benefiting the specific community environmentally, culturally, and economically. Sustainable tourism and responsible tourism are derived from the concept of sustainable development. Sustainable development aims at meeting present needs without sacrificing those of future generations. Sustainable tourism, therefore, means meeting the needs of present tourists and host regions while conserving, protecting and enhancing the needs of future generations (TIES).

Evolution and Significance

It evolved from the global environment movement, which surfaced in the late 1980s with a renewed concern over environmental conditions (TIES 2010). Ecotourism became a popular sector of the tourism industry by the early 1990s along with nature-based, cultural, heritage and adventure tourism. It emphasized the concept that tourism should conserve the host communities. Among the sub-concepts encouraged by ecotourism was sustainable tourism. This sub-concept initiated mainstream sustainability in tourism by applying the principles and practices of ecotourism into the varied aspects of the tourism market (TIES).

The significance of ecotourism lies in its strong contributions to the environmental, social, cultural and economic welfare of tourist destinations and their local communities (TIES 2010). It makes available effective economic incentives to preserve, promote and respect bio-cultural diversity. At the same time, it helps protect the area's cultural heritage. At the same time, ecotourism empowers the surrounding communities of these destinations for their economic survival and their region's sustainable development. It also contributes to the greening objective of the industry in many aspects. Participants in ecotourism are travelers of all ages and interests. They are responsible consumers who consciously desire to contribute their part to environmental sustainability. They participate in tourism activities that can benefit the environment. They plan their travel wisely so that they help minimize the production of carbon as a consequence (TIES).

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ecotourism

The formal objective of ecotourism is to reduce human impact on the planet's fragile ecosystem, cultures and economies of the destinations (Paige 2011). It also aims at providing the indigenous communities with opportunities to rise from extreme poverty. But either objective is only theoretical and a mere ideal. The reality is that ecotourism, as well as traditional tourism, has produced more disadvantages than advantages. The eco-dollars infused into it are supposed to enable local residents enjoy the economic benefits of expanding their natural resources. It aims at preserving the endangered habitat. But without proper monitoring, ecotourism may not only fall short of this aim but even become a major threat to the natural habitat. These resources and the ecosystem hardly get preserved because of the exploitative interests and activities of investors and corporations that ecotourism brings in. Legitimate and conscionable eco-travel providers are the need of the hour. They uphold international labor standards and protect indigenous resources for use by future generations (Paige).

Ecotourism and Sustainable Development

These concepts have been linked together in man places (Stone 2002). Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Ecotourism ideally and formally offers the tourist with a quality nature experience. It allots funds and intends to support conservation efforts. It aims at limiting impact on the environment. And it offers socioeconomic benefits to the local host communities. These goals may be achieved and the benefits may occur. But current evidence shows that these objectives are not met in more cases. Furthermore, ecotourism's status and actual value have been little evaluated at specific destinations (Stone).

Case Study 1: Ecotourism in Hainan, China

Hainan is a tropical island in the southwest coast of Guangdong Province (Stone 2002). It has a vibrant tourism industry. Most of it occurs in coastal areas. This island has been successful in calling the attention and attraction of largely domestic tourists from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. However, there have been limited economic opportunities for local residents. Moreover, mobility has been compromised by the construction of infrastructure in many locations, such as the Eastern expressway (Xie & Wall 2000 as qtd in Stone). The Department of Lands (1999) recognized Hainan Island as the best environmentally preserved province in China. The most biologically diverse resources in the world can still be found there (Weisun 2000 as qtd in Stone). Among these resources are protected areas (Wang 1993 as qtd in Stone). Its offerings of tropical forests, mountains, mangroves and beaches make Hainan one of the most popular tourism destinations in the country. It is also a special economic zone, i.e., subject to major development. Special rules and investment incentives have been set in place to facilitate the process (Gormsen 1995 as qtd in Stone).

A study was conducted with the businesses, government officials and local communities in the Island (Stone 2002). It found that most of them perceived ecotourism as a form of nature-oriented travel meant to balance resource conservation and human use. Local government officials interpreted ecotourism as an activity meant to produce economic benefits for the province, for protected area agencies, and the local communities. The study also uncovered many other areas as potential sites for ecotourism. These range from undeveloped wilderness areas to botanical gardens, beaches, wildlife and cultural theme parts. This creates some confusion regarding jurisdiction, what ecotourism actually means, what drives tourists to visit, and what the tourism market wants to attract (Stone).

A stiff competitor is Yunnan Province, which offers tropical forests, hot weather and ethnic minority culture to tourists as Hainan does (Stone 2002). On the whole, beautiful scenery and scenery characterize China. Hainan island is located in the peripheries. It may attract some tourists and discourages others. As such, it needs careful and specialized marketing strategy, particularly for the international markets. Several management bodies operate Hainan Island. Among these are the Hainan Tourism Bureau, Department of Lands, Environment and Resources, the Hainan Forest Bureau and its local bureaus. Other agencies take care of Parks and Reserves. With the foreseen growth of tourism, the management of tourists and the areas visited is also expected to become more complex. The lines of responsibility and accountability among these agencies and bodies involved in the management and administration of tourism and the protected areas should be clearly defined (Boyd 2000 as qtd in Stone).

Case Study 2: Ecotourism in Belize

The Belize Tourism Board reported in 1999 that tourism contributed 18% of the Gross Domestic Product of the country (Pat 2001). This translated to 23% of the GDP indirect economic benefits, 25% of foreign exchange earnings, and as source of 1 out of 4 jobs. Tourism was, thus, recognized as a major contributor to Belize's economy. The trend in the past decade showed a steady rise in tourism. This was interpreted to mean renewed investor confidence, an effective tourism strategy, and a clear policy direction. These were set as bases for the economic growth as well as the protection of Belize's rich natural and cultural resources. On account of the economic potentials of tourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Youth established a new strategy with the creation of new jobs as one of its objectives. Most of these jobs are projected to in the hotel industry and their construction, car rental, telecommunications and financial services, air traffic control and border clearance. Leaders also foresee job opportunities in the rural areas among small and medium-sized businesses (Pat).

The country's diverse tourism products include rainforests, marine and terrestrial wildlife, living Maya and archaeological sites, and the Belize's longest barrier reef in the world (Pat 2001). Its reef and cays are the major attractions, which draw visitors. The 200-mile-long Belize Barrier Reef offers a world-class diving and snorkeling site. It was in the mid-60s when Belize adopted ecotourism on account of these natural treasures. The adoption fits the framework of sustainable development of Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference in Environment and Development. Belize's eco-cultural tourism policy complies with the Agenda's requirement of commitment to the future (Pat).

Environmentalist NGOs from Belize, tourism entrepreneurs and the government of Belize expressed commitment to the international guidelines and best practices of sustainable tourism (Pat 2001). The government has since been involved in reshaping the perception of Belizeans towards the environment. Ecotourism promotion was made a major part of the strategy, which aims at making both conservation and development sustainable. Among government actions taken in this direction were the placing of 1/3 of new protected areas under legal… READ MORE

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